Marriott International and the Leali family are planning to enter into a joint venture to add the wellness hospitality brand Lefay to the Marriott portfolio. Lefay will be the first brand in Marriott’s portfolio dedicated exclusively to luxury wellness.
Founded in Italy in 2006 by Domenico Alcide and Liliana Leali, Lefay includes immersive resorts in natural settings. Its proprietary Lefay Spa Method blends “scientific research with holistic wellness traditions,” the company said in a statement.
The Lefay portfolio features two luxury resorts in Lago di Garda and Dolomiti Italy, and the brand’s pipeline includes three properties under development in Tuscany, Southern Italy and the Swiss Alps. Lefay’s existing and pipeline resorts will operate under long-term hotel management agreements with the new joint venture, to which Lefay will contribute existing brand and intellectual property assets. The Italian real estate assets will continue to be held by the brand’s founders. Together, the parties intend to grow the brand around the world.
“Marriott is thrilled to collaborate with the Leali family as we grow our luxury wellness portfolio,” Anthony Capuano, president and CEO, Marriott International, said in the statement. “Luxury is increasingly defined by wellbeing, purpose and meaningful experiences. We are excited to introduce Lefay to our customers around the world and thoughtfully expand Marriott’s presence in the luxury wellness space.”
Global Wellbeing
“Our family founded Lefay nearly twenty years ago with a clear vision: to create destinations where wellbeing, nature and health come together authentically,” Lefay founders Domenico Alcide and Liliana Leali said in the statement. “We are deeply honored to begin this collaboration with Marriott and to further advance our vision of bringing the Lefay brand to the world.”
Each Lefay property is designed as an eco‑resort with indoor‑outdoor spaces, sustainable materials and wellness programs that integrate movement, nutrition and preventative health. Guests can choose from à‑la‑carte treatments or structured multiday wellness programs.
Luxury and Wellness
Lefay will complement Marriott’s existing Luxury Group portfolio while appealing to a rapidly expanding global audience seeking transformative travel experiences focused on health and longevity.
“Lefay represents a new expression of luxury, one that is wellness‑first, deeply experiential, and emotionally resonant,” said Tina Edmundson, president of luxury, Marriott International. “As guest expectations continue to evolve, our collaboration with Lefay will allow us to thoughtfully extend our luxury offerings into a space where wellbeing is not just an amenity, but the heart of the travel experience.”
“Lefay is proud to join Marriott’s Luxury Group, alongside some of the most prestigious hotel brands, such as The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, Edition and The Luxury Collection,” said Alcide Leali, CEO of Lefay. “Together, we are poised to accelerate the global expansion of the Lefay brand and further reinforce Lefay’s position as a leading name in luxury wellness hospitality.”
The transaction is subject to customary approvals and closing conditions.